To find out which cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma, we investigated cytokine receptor expression on myeloma cells using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). Flow cytometric analysis of five myeloma cell lines (RPMI8226, ARH77, KMM-1, U266, and Hs) and myeloma cells freshly isolated from eight patients showed that interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) type I and type II, IL-2R alpha and beta chains, IL-4R, IL-6R, IL-7R, IL-8R, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (GM-CSFR), c-kit (stem cell factor receptor [SCFR]), membrane bound stem cell factor (MBSCF), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors type I and type II were not always detected on the myeloma cells. However, interferon-gamma receptor, gp130, and Fas antigen were constitutively expressed, except one sample. To determine the role of Fas antigen on myeloma cells, these cells were cultured with anti-Fas MoAb. Apoptotic changes characterized by loss of cell volume, membrane blebbing, fragmentation of nuclei, and condensed chromatin were observed in three of five myeloma cell lines. When bcl-2 expression was examined, it was seen in all the cell lines regardless of the sensitivity to anti-Fas MoAb. Furthermore, anti-Fas MoAb not only induced apoptosis of freshly isolated myeloma cells but also inhibited the DNA synthesis, although such effects varied from patient to patient. The data indicate that only some myeloma cells undergo apoptosis in response to the signal mediated by the Fas antigen.